The Holy Spirit Introduction 1. The Holy Spirit is a Divine person -- one of the three in the Godhead. 2. The word "God" in the New Testament is from "Theos" meaning deity, divine. A. In the Old Testament the words are Elohim & Jehovah. 3. The word "Godhead" includes all three: A. God, the Father. 1 Corinthians 8:6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. B. God, the Son. John 1:1, 14 C. God, the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:3 But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? The Holy Spirit 1
4. All three are found in: A. The creation. Genesis 1:1-2, 26 John 1:1-3 B. The baptism of Jesus. Matthew 3:16-17 When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." C. The salutation given by Paul. 2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen. 5. Whatever attributes of divinity that belong to God and Jesus also belong to the Holy Spirit. 6. Each Divine person had their part in providing salvation for man. A. God as the designer and planner. B. Jesus as the executor - he carried out the plan. C. Holy Spirit as the revealer and confirmor. The Holy Spirit 2
7. One can clearly see on television today how the TV Evangelists are spreading their false teachings about the work of the Holy Spirit all over this country! A. They teach that the Holy Spirit continues to work miracles. B. They preach a "health and wealth" gospel. 1) The doctrine states that God will heal the body of the sick saint, get him a better paying job, correct all family problems, and make the Christian's life "heaven on earth". 2) Out of desperation many Americans send money to make this happen - they're deluded and deceived by their false doctrines. C. They teach that the Holy Spirit leads them apart from the revealed word of God. The strong feelings of the preacher are equated with the word of God. 1) Basically, whatever one feels about any subject becomes the voice of God! Man becomes a law unto himself. 8. Time will not allow me to go into detail on every aspect of the Holy Spirit's work; but briefly, we can learn that: The Holy Spirit 3
The Holy Spirit Was the Revealer of the Truth 1. Without the Holy Spirit, we could not know what to do to be saved! A. He would teach, testify of, and guide the apostles. John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 15:26 But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. John 16:12-13 I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. B. The apostles received revelation by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 3:3-5 1 Corinthians 2:9-13 1 Peter 1:12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven things which angels desire to look into. The Holy Spirit 4
2. Revelation and Inspiration. A. The process of inspiration. 2 Peter 1:20-21 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. B. The fact of inspiration. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. C. The Holy Spirit has given us the means of knowing God's plan for our salvation through the revealed word of God! The Holy Spirit as Confirmor of Truth Revealed 1. Truth was confirmed by miracles; signs; and wonders. A. Such gifts were bestowed "directly on the apostles" and on others "whom they laid hands". 1) Notice what Jesus told the apostles after telling them to go preach. Mark 16:17-18 a) The Holy Spirit was there confirming the truth! 2) As a matter of history. Mark 16:19-20 3) Examples of "hands laid on". Acts 8:5-17 Acts 19:5-6 The Holy Spirit 5
2. How they used these miraculous gifts - their purpose. A. Notice Hebrews 2:1-4. Hebrews 2:1-4 1) The Lord had spoken. 2) Hearers gave testimony of what they heard. 3) The Holy Spirit gave supernatural testimony. a) Notice what the apostle Paul said. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. B. Peter said God had shown such testimony thru Christ. Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know 1) There was a difference between Christ's miracles and the apostles. a) Christ - authority to forgive sins. b) Apostles - To believe in Christ. Mark 2:10-11 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins" He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house." C. A divine announcement needed a divine confirmation. The Holy Spirit 6
3. Why signs do not need to be continued today. A. Thomas wanted to see. John 20:19-25 B. He was allowed to see. John 20:26-28 C. Some who didn't see believe. John 20:29 D. These events are recorded so that we can believe. John 20:30-31 E. The word once confirmed is always confirmed. F. We can believe the truth revealed by the Holy Spirit without reservation because it has been confirmed by divine powers. 1) The Holy Spirit is not now performing miracles. 4. Speaking in tongues, etc. were the Divine signs by which the word was confirmed. A. These are listed in 1 Cor 12:4-10. 1 Corinthians 12:4-10 B. There is now a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 1) The more excellent way is now through love, through God's written word. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 C. Love won't fail, but miraculous gifts would. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 1) Done away when revelation and confirmation was completed! The Holy Spirit 7
Conclusion 1. Who is the Holy Spirit? 2. He is the one who has helped make it possible for us to be saved! 3. He did this by revealing God's plan as executed by Christ for our salvation. 4. How does the Holy Spirit work today? 5. He dwells in us through the word of God. A. He converts the sinner through the word. B. He edifies through the word. 1) Because the word has since been confirmed! Acts 5:32 And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him. (This is done through the word) 1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? B. God also dwells within us. 2 Corinthians 6:16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." C. Christ also dwells within us. Ephesians 3:17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, The Holy Spirit 8
6. The presence of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit being within us is dependent on our abiding in the word - the same word that was revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. 1 John 4:12-15 7. The word tells us how to be saved. A. That is done by faith, repentance, confession, and baptism. 8. This is what the Holy Spirit means to us today! Invitation Place Date Holy Spirit.wpd, 1993 Re-worked November 2010 The Holy Spirit 9